Deck the Halls 2021

Deck The Halls

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The Post-Searchlight Deck the Halls

Wednesday, December 01, 2021

Wednesday, December 01, 2021

The Post-Searchlight Deck the Halls

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Maiden South partners with Ornaments 4 Orphans to help children around the globe

BY JILL HOLLOWAY Managing Editor

D

uring the season of giving, it can be hard to decide which charities to give to. All of them have a deserving cause, but what sets them apart is the way the money is being allocated. This year, generous donors who shop at Maiden South do not have to worry if their money will be put to good use, as it already has been.

Allison Betts Cantley recently returned from the Atlanta Market with a new goody to add to her store that gives back to an important cause: Ornaments 4 Orphans.

“When I bought these ornaments, it automatically sent money to Ornaments 4 Orphans,” she explained. “I found the company when I went to Market and I loved that it gave back to the orphanage.”

So far, Cantley said customers have loved the ornaments and she plans to bring them back again next year.

Ornaments 4 Orphans is dedicated to providing critical support for orphans and vulnerable children in Africa.

They use their ornaments to create jobs, fight poverty, preserve intact families, empower communities and

ultimately prevent children from becoming orphans, according to their website.

The company partners with various countries around the globe, using individual’s artisan craftsmanship to hand make these ornaments. These artisans are then provided with living wages that help improve their living conditions and education.

Currently, Ornaments 4 Orphans offers collections of ornaments from four different countries, beginning with Uganda.

Uganda’s collection includes a lot of bead work in various shapes such as crosses, stars, hearts and angels. They additionally offer necklaces and a Bark Cloth Hut Nativity Set made in Uganda.

The second country collection is Kenya, who uses mostly banana fiber to make ornaments.

They have several banana fiber and sisal angel ornaments to choose from, along with painted wooden ornaments and an entire corn husk nativity set.

The third country collection is the Nepal collection, which is a fun and whimsical collection made primarily of felt wool.

They offer a variety of animals, such as dogs, cats, reindeer, penguins, sharks and squirrels all made from felt. They also offer traditional Christmas ornaments made of felt such as, snowmen, Santa Claus, wreaths and Christmas trees.

The final country collection is Peru, where most of the ornaments are a vibrant, multicolored embroidered wool.

They hand sew beautiful angels and colorful snowflakes, along with hearts and reindeer.

They also add in other common

animals seen in Peru such as llamas and alpacas.

The ornaments from all four countries can be found in Mad Rose on a Christmas tree near the counter. The ornaments come with a small tag, explaining the mission of Ornaments 4 Orphans and how to get involved for those interested.

To find out more about Ornaments 4 Orphans, visit their website at www. ornaments4orphans.org and make sure to pick out a unique ornament with a special meaning for your tree today.

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The Post-Searchlight Deck the Halls

Wednesday, December 01, 2021

How to care for your Christmas Perennials

I

t’s the most wonderful time of the year, and if you’re anything like me your home will soon be filled with the colorful blooms of holiday perennials.

Each year multiple people are gifted with traditional holiday plants such as the poinsettia and Christmas cactus but don’t realize the longevity the plants can have if properly cared for. If properly watered and kept in the right light, these plants can be the gift that gives all year long.

Poinsettias are most common at Christmas and actually have their own designated Poinsettia Day on December 12, said Nan Bostick, agriculture and natural resources agent at the Decatur County UGA Ag extension office.

The plant is originally from Mexico and was brought to the United States by US Ambassador, Joel Poinsett, who named it the poinsettia. Though the name may suggest otherwise, the plant is actually not poisonous; it has even been used to reduce fever in native countries.

The plant is really modified leaves, Bostick said. The flower itself is the small yellow part in the center of all the red leaves.

For individuals who love this special holiday plant, they can continue to grow it by following a few simple instructions.

Bostick said poinsettias don’t like much moisture or heavy soils. People who choose to keep their poinsettias inside need to keep it near a sunny window for at least five hours a day, but also make sure the plant has plenty of time to undergo “dark treatment.”

The plant does not form buds in days longer than 12 hours. It needs to be kept in a dark, cooler room for 5-8 hours a day beginning in March.

After the poinsettia has bloomed, those interested can replant it in July. They simply cut off three-four inches of the stem and plant what is left in a sterilized mix of sand and moss, Bostick said.

Much like the poinsettia, the Christmas cactus also needs time of uninterrupted darkness, Bostick said.

The Christmas cactus needs between 12-14 hours of darkness. Bostick said

they have a regulated blooming time that occurs when they are kept in a dark cool location. The cactus does not have to be kept inside; it can be moved outdoors once temperatures rise above freezing. Bostick recommends putting it in a shady area, where it can still receive some sun, but also the darkness it needs to thrive.

The Christmas cactus shares other commonalities with the poinsettia as well; it is a modified segment of a plant.

The leaves and the spine of the cactus are missing, Bostick said. The cactus has its stem that stores the water and a version of modified leaves, which contain the small red buds that bloom into a sight worthy beauty.

The great thing about Christmas cacti is the fact they are not just available during the Christmas holiday. There are multiple variations of the cactus, according to Bostick. She said they are considered “holiday cacti” and people have Thanksgiving and Easter cacti as well.

These plants are known for coinciding with the holiday season and producing a bloom that matches in a hue of yellow, white, pink and red.

With these newfound tips, you will no longer have to throw away your beautiful red and yellow buds at the end of this season, but can keep your home a vibrant array of color all year long.

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The Post-Searchlight Deck the Halls

Wednesday, December 01, 2021

Wednesday, December 01, 2021

The Post-Searchlight Deck the Halls

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Sheriffs help provide Christmas for deserving youth

BY JILL HOLLOWAY Manging Editor

E

very Christmas morning, thousands of children wake up with gifts under the tree from Santa Claus. While Santa does provide magic in the homes of many, he sometimes needs a little community help.

This is especially the case for children in Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes.

Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes was established in the 1960’s after Georgia sheriffs became increasingly concerned about the growing number of abandoned, neglected and abused children.

Sheriffs across Georgia understood it was vital, not just for the children, but for the state to give these disadvantaged youths the chance to grow up in a loving a secure home environment. Thus, creating the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes.

The Youth Homes are for children ages 6-16, but the home will still accept children all the way to 18-years-old.

They live in full-time residential facilities with house parents and attend public schools, getting regular checkups with doctors, dentists and other local providers.

The youth are also tutored by volunteers who want to make sure all the children have access to achieve whatever their goals may be.

Those who have visited the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes know the sheriffs try their best to make the residents feel as at home as possible, and Christmas is no different.

Shaun Eilders, Director of the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes, said all the residential facilities have a Christmas tree that the youth help decorate and on Christmas morning, the house parents go

out of their way to make sure all of the youth have their wishes and treat them to a special Christmas meal.

While the sheriffs and house parents do their best to provide for every resident, they could still use donations.

Eilders said the Hahira location, which is closest to Bainbridge, currently does not have any young children, with their youngest being 11 and their oldest being 18, but they still have teenagers hoping for a special Christmas day.

“The sheriffs do a tremendous job trying to help us with the kids for Christmas, but we could always use donations,” Eilders said. “It’s important to realize these kids aren’t here through any fault of their own.”

Individuals who feel called, can donate on the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes website, or they can email Eilders and receive a child’s wish list.

Eilders said individuals can send him

an email stating what they are comfortable spending and he will send back a wish list with items in that price range. However, if individuals begin purchasing and decide they cannot actually provide those things, Eilders said they will work with them, give what they have purchased and find a way to still finish off the wish list.

“We are a private, non-profit 501©3, so we appreciate any donations anyone is able to give,” he ended.

For those interested in providing for a child this Christmas, email seilders@ georgiasheriffs.org, stating your name and if you would like to sponsor a boy or a girl, along with your budget and contact information.

Those interested in learning more about the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes can visit their website at www. georgiasheriffsyouth.org. or speak with Sheriff Wiley Griffin about his involvement over the years.

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The Post-Searchlight Deck the Halls

Wednesday, December 01, 2021

How to make a Gingerbread House from scratch Gingerbread House Dough • 6 cups (828g) all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling the dough (see recipe note) • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder • 4 teaspoons ground ginger • 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves or allspice • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 3/4 cup (170g) butter, softened • 1 1/2 cups (284g) packed light brown sugar • 2 Large Eggs • 1 cup dark molasses • 1 tablespoon water Royal Icing • 2 Large Egg Whites • 2 2/3 cups powdered sugar, divided 1. Make the Gingerbread Dough • Whisk the flour and spices: • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and salt. Set aside.

2. Make the butter, sugar, egg, and molasses mixture: • Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and brown sugar on medium speed until fluffy and well blended. Beat in the eggs, molasses, and water until well combined.

3. Combine the wet and dry ingredients, and knead the dough: • Beat half of the flour mixture into the molasses mixture until well blended and smooth. Add in the remaining flour and continue to mix until well blended and a soft cohesive dough forms.

• Turn the dough out onto a slightly floured work surface and knead by hand 5 or 6 times until the dough is smooth and combined. If dough is too soft, add a little more flour.

4. Divide the dough, wrap and chill it: • Divide the dough in half, pat into disks, and wrap each half in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least two hours, preferably overnight.

• You can make it up to 3 days ahead of time. Let sit at room temperature for at least 10 minutes before rolling out.

5. Make the Gingerbread House Pieces Create and cut out the pattern pieces: • Create a gingerbread house pattern by cutting out pieces of stiff paper (like that of a manila folder) or cardboard. I like cardboard because it’s almost as thick as the gingerbread house pieces will be, and you can create a house model easily using the pieces.

6.

Prepare the oven and cookie sheets: • Preheat oven to 350°F, with the oven rack in the middle. Have several flat cookie sheets ready, preferably ones that you know will not warp in the oven heat.

7. Roll out the dough: • Spread parchment paper on a large flat surface for rolling. Dust the paper lightly with flour.

• Working with one portion of the dough at a time, use a rolling pin to roll out the dough to an even thickness of 1/4 inch. Add a little flour to the surface of the dough, and check for sticking as you roll it out.

• If it sticks to either your rolling pin or the rolling surface, dust with more flour. If the rolled out dough is very soft, you may want to freeze it for an hour before cutting out the patterns.

8. Cut out shapes in the dough with pattern pieces:

•

•

•

•

•

Rub a little flour over the surface of the dough. Place the pattern pieces on the dough, as many pattern pieces as will fit on the dough. Use a small sharp knife to cut out the pattern pieces from the dough, wiping the knife surface clean frequently.

Depending on how soft the dough is, you may need to use scissors to cut the parchment paper. You can cut out the patterns through the dough and parchment paper, placing the dough pieces with the paper directly on the cookie sheets.

If you are not using parchment paper, you may need to use a large metal spatula to transfer the dough pieces to a greased cookie sheet.

Space the pieces on the cookie sheet an inch apart from each other. If dough pieces stretch during the transfer process, push them back into shape.

You can cut out a door and window(s) at this point, or you can wait until after baking, soon after the pieces have come out of the oven while the cookies are still warm.

9. Bake: • Bake in a 350°F oven until the edges are just beginning to darken, 11-15 minutes for the large pieces, 6 to 8 minutes for the small pieces.

• Rotate the cookie sheets halfway through the baking for more even browning. Remove the sheets to racks to cool, about 15 minutes.

10. Trim the pieces while warm: • While the pieces are still slightly warm, lay the pattern pieces over them and use a large straight chef ’s knife to trim off any parts of the pieces that have through cooking spread beyond the pattern.

• Remove pieces to cool directly on racks to cool completely.

Wednesday, December 01, 2021

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The Post-Searchlight Deck the Halls

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Page 14

The Post-Searchlight Deck the Halls

Wednesday, December 01, 2021

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Bainbridge Holiday Calendar WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1 •

The City of Bainbridge will have lite up its Lights Along the River, which will last through Dec. 31. Drivers can tune their radio to 99.3 FM for holiday music and drive through close to a mile of Chirsmas lights and themed displays celebrating the season.

community Christmas tree lighting and golf cart parade from 5-8 p.m.

Contact Mayor Joseph Kelly for more information.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9 •

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2 •

The City of Bainbridge will hold the Yuletide Jubilee beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Willis Park Square.

It will offer shopping, dining, baked goods, live music and commence with the lighting of the town Christmas tree.

The annual City of Bainbridge Chirstmas Parade will be held. The City is now accepting applications for participants. The link for the application can be found on their Facebook page.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10 •

Grace Church will be hosting their annual Field by Night from 7-10 p.m. It will include a Christmas village, free soups, baked goods, hot chocolate and handmade bows.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3 •

The City of Bainbridge will have festive live music at 7 p.m. at the Hook & Ladder. The band, Christmas Back Home is from Rome, Ga. and features classic Christmas songs, from blues to reggae and jazz. It is perfect for the whole family. For more information, call 229-515-8616.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4 •

The City of Climax will be hosting a

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24 •

The community band will host its annual Christmas caroling at Willis Square Park.